See also: 1940 in television, other events of 1941, 1942 in television and the list of years in television.

Events

• April 30 - In the United States the FCC approves the NTSC standards of 525 lines and 30 frames per second, and authorizes commercial TV to begin on July 1.
• May 2 - In the United States 10 television stations are granted commercial TV licenses (effective July 1). These stations are required to broadcast 15 hours per week. Bulova Watch Co. , Sun Oil Co. , Lever Bros. Co. and Procter & Gamble sign on as sponsors of the first commercial telecasts from WNBT in New York.
• July 1 - Commercial TV authorized by the FCC.
• July 1 - Ralph Edwards hosts the first game show broadcast on United States television, Truth or Consequences, simulcast on radio and TV and sponsored by Ivory Soap. The first legal TV commercial in the United States for Bulova watches occurs at 2:29, superimposed over a test pattern.

Television shows

• Tom and Jerry (1940-1958, 1965-1972, 1975-1977, 1980-1982)

Births

• January 8 - Graham Chapman, comedian.
• March 23 - Lin Bolen , network executive, supposedly an inspiration for a character in the 1976 film Network.
• April 3 - Eric Braeden, actor.
• June 2 - Stacy Keach, actor.
• June 12 - Marv Albert, sportscaster.
• June 22 - Ed Bradley, journalist.
• November 1 - Robert Foxworth, actor.
• November 21 - Juliet Mills, actress.